(Alexandria, VA)— As judicial analysts continued to speculate about the impact of yesterday's U.S. Court of Appeals ruling that appeared to limit the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) ability to interfere with the flow of Internet content, Andrew Moylan, Director of Government Affairs for the 362,000-member National Taxpayers Union (NTU), offered the following statement:
"Taxpayers throughout the country have good reason to breathe a sigh of relief over yesterday's decision that effectively prevents the FCC from imposing one of its 'Net Neutrality' schemes on content providers. Had the Court gone the other way, Americans would have faced the prospect of fewer choices and potentially burdensome taxes in the very near future as a result of federal regulation of the Internet.
But unfortunately, like most things in Washington, this victory may be short-lived. The FCC Chairman will inevitably fight to work around existing precedent, perhaps by pushing a new rule to classify the Internet as a regulated public utility. Such a strategy would be as big a step backward for innovation and growth as the largely 'hands off' approach toward Internet development has been a positive step forward.
While the specifics of the FCC's next move may be difficult to define, NTU will continue to fight against harmful regulation through 'Net Neutrality' or reclassification. There is no evidence of market failure and any attempts to enact such regulation are simply attempts to increase Washington's power and control over the Internet.
NTU's position is clear: Americans are overtaxed and overregulated already, and there is no reason that our unelected FCC should be allowed to trample on a technology that has immeasurably changed our economy and our political system for the better."
NTU is a nonpartisan, nonprofit citizen organization founded in 1969 to work for lower taxes, smaller government, and economic freedom at all levels. Note: For more information on NTU's work on telecommunications and 'Net Neutrality,' including past comments to the FCC, visit ntu.org or text the word "FIGHT" to 67292.
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